Skinning and fatting machine



May 20, 1930. c. G. G. BERGSTROM 1,759,478

I SKINNING AND FATTING MACHINE l vFiled April L8, 1928 I 5 Sheets-Sheet l z3 y 54 14? @e Z 7l 63 'A s\\\\\l\\\\\I//// o:w e 7,

l gwoentgw CGH G, Gn Begsrom May 20, 19.30. I c. G. G. BERGSTROM 1,759,47

SKINNING AND FATTING MACHINE Filed April 18, 1928 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 IIO |215 57 Cclrlv G GBerSsJrror gg, 113W* y fe? v May 20, 1930- c. G. G. BERGSTROM 1,759,478

SKINNING AND FATTING MACHINE Patented May 20, 1930 igea-us i ,CARL vGr. BERGSTROM, OIE" STLJEAUL, MINNESOTA' SKINNLING AND FAME-IG MACHINE i application filed' april is,

' My invention relates to skinning and fatting machines and particularly to machines adapted vto be'used for removing skins and y fat from hams and similarly formed portionsy ofthe carcasses 'of animals.r v

. n object of the invention resides-in providing a iframe'y having a track along thev same and in further providing a carriage movable along said trackand having a conlo cave supporting surface conforming to the shape of the ham or other obj ect to be skinned or sliced upon which the same is supported f with the portion to be. removed directly in Contact with-said supporting surface.

Another object of the invention resides in providing-a band cutter having cutting edge disposed in a predetermined relation to said supporting surface, said carriage being movable along said cutter to feed Vthe rcutter along said carriage and between the obj ectto be sliced or skinned andthe supporting surface. z Another 'object' of the invention resides Yin providing means whereby the ham( or other f obj ect to be slicedor skinned may be held in hrm contact with the supporting surface through the action Aof vacuum and to further provide means whereby 'the vacuum may be createdfonly at such portions of the supporting surface on which the object actually rests so 'as vto causethe ,device tofunction regardless of the shapev or sizeof the objects sliced. I vAnother object of the'invention resides in attaching uprights to said'frain'e andiin slidi ably mounting at the upperV portion of said surface;

ieee. serial no. zjfiinw, i

tially to the curvature of said vsuppoiting lA still rfurther object 'of the invention resides inproviding Imeans whereby the said guide and supporting wheel may be simultaneously raised to vary the thickness ofthe slice severed at the loweriiiost portion and whereby the upper ends of the guide vmay be f Y simultaneously moved inwardly to 'contrpl the thickness of the rslice at its uppermost portion.v

Another object of the invention resides in providing means whereby the carriage may be propelled in either direction.

A A' feature of the inventionl resides in constructing said guide 4'wish a heating element whereby the raised.A47

With the foregoing and other objects in temperature ofthe cutter may vbe view, which will'appear in the following description, the invention resides in the novel combination and arrangement 'of parts" and'in the`details of construction hereinafter described and claimed.

` In the drawings 1 is a side elevational view of a ham skini'iing' machine illustrating lan embodiment of my invention. E

o Fig. 2 is a plan view of the structure shown iiiFi'gfl. 'i

Fig. 3 is an end elevational view of the `structure fshownfin Figs. 'l Aand 2.

f 'Fig 4 is'van 'enlarged Veletrational detail view' of the mechanism for` adjusting the depth and form of the cut. f

- Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view takenon line 5-5 of Fig. 4i.'

yFig. 6 isa plan sectional view taken on line Fig.` 7 ,an enlarged cross sectional view of ydie carriage illustrating the construction ofthe vacuum valves.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged cross sectional View of thfe annular cutter' guide.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary perspectiye View of the heating 'element used in 'conjunction "with the guide showninF-ig.'

i In thev packing.Vv industry "numerousva-l-Y uable hides fromhanis at times" are -sentito the renderingv tanks "when lager'proiitscould Also, in the removal of the skins,'when nec-Y be realized from themn as leathermaterial.

essary, from hams or'other cuts, largel particles offat adhere. This fat ifleft on the i `positive*A and Vautomat-ic .device whereby, the Y skins maybe quickly, cleanly, and effectively removed from portions ofthefham's or other tion of an inch or more may be also cut fromV the Vexterior fat of the'hamnndbe utilizedV hams Within required fat specificationsivould yield larger` profits on the hams than to the renderingl tanks. Myinvention provides a cut-s7 and whereby alayer 'offat to the fracfor other'purposes. Y A i My invention proper consists pi'imarily of framework YWhich I vhave indicated in its entirety at A. rlhis framework comprises two longitudinal frame members 10 and 11 which are connected together at their` ends by means of two transverse.framemembers 12 and 13.

These frame members may beconstructed in Y l the nature of` castings and are provided as 3 best shown in Fig. 3 with up'standing por- Y vI' have indicated 'infits entirety at B and` -Whichivill be presentlyudescribed in ldetail.

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Vtions'. 14 vand 15 which 1 support tivo longitudinal angle members 16 and 17 serving as rails for the supports of the carriage which At thefour corners of thefralnewvorkare attached legs A18 Which lmay Vbe bolte'dto the frame members .10,V and 11 byj'bolts/IE) and which are bolted to the-transversefframe Vmembers 12 and 13 through bolts 20'. Y

Slid'a-bly mountedupon the" tracks 16 and 1-7 is supported thecarriage 'B which is con` st-ructed cfa casting 21 semi-'circularinforin 'ationv andH which vis arranged with itsV concave surface 22 facing upwardly(hecasting 21 is constructed Vas fbest' shownin detail in Fig, 7 With a plurality of spaced L,bores V23 extending completely through the backside o of the said'casting and to Within a short `distance of the surfacef22'theieof. These bores Vare jta-pped .as'rindicated at'23 to receive threaded plugs 24 VWhichextend Apartially.

intorv saidfbores so as "to provide pockets-25' which pass throughy the'surface 22,1a'number .inward vend of each of the `D'lugsj24d5 VDro- K vided a `va-lve'seat 27V.- vA valve28 adapted to become seated on seat 27 has a'valvefstem 29`sli'dably mountedin the plug 2li-and ina cap`34 threaded insaid plug.l VVhenraised Vfrom said valve seat communication is `had between the pocket 25 Vand therrspace on the I opposite side ofplug `24through a number of'-y openings Whichextend completely through the 'saidplug andcap.Y A coil spring 3,1 surrounding the valve stem 29 is' seated 1 .at kone Vend againstthe end Wall-32of cap 34 and vatits other endagainstian enlargement 33 oncsai'd valve stemadJacent valve 28..;41

nut 357011 the end of the valve stein 29 holds j the valve 28 inzproper position relative to ofthe casting 21 are arranged outwardly extending ribs 36. An arcuate plate 37 isat- Vtached to these ribs bymeans of screws 38 and fis furtherv attached to the bodyl proper Vt'hervalve seat.` Along the kmarginal portions by screws 380 and 4spacers 381 and forms Aa space 43 back of the plugs 24 serving asa Y vacuum-chamber Within the interior ofthe carriage B adapted to' communicate with the pockets 25 when the various valves28 are open. A hoseconnection 39 secured to carriage B communicates with this space andl has coupled to it a flexible hose 40 which may .be connected toa suitable exhaust pump or a vacuum tank.A VA valve 41 having a pedal 42is positioned in this'hofse and serves to Y control the vacuum createdin the; chamber 43. WhenV it isidesired to hold an object'su'chf as aham or other cut ofwhic'h the skin orv a portion of the fat thereofis to be removed the same is -merely laid upon the surface22. Y

and manually pressed to lit the said surface as closely as possible.

Vopened bystepping on the pedalv 42 'which creates Va vacuum VWithin the `chamber 43."l

The valve 41 is then: l

l/Therever the Vskin'or other portionfofthe,` 'l cut comes in direct contact with the surface I 22 so as tocovcr` thefopenings 26 "leading'. Vto any Vofthe various pockets 25 thefi'ush ofY air into the said pockets from the 'exterior when valve 41 is opened is hence'prevented and` thesaid valves 20 for' such 'pockets ref main., openv permitting the airY Withinsaid' .pockets to be exhaustedmand the surface of l Vthe ham or other objectfto be drawntight tothe'surfacel 22y of carriage B. VVl/VhereverY theL openings r26 remain exposed 'airv is per- Vinitted to V'rushV freely linto tlie-pockets` 25- which hasthe eflect'of closing theval-ves 20 and preventing the further lo'vvjof air i therethrough. The suction Within chamber ,43 thereafter'maintains" these valves closed until; the valve 41V is again opened. 'VVhen so openeds'utlicientleakage occurs through v the various valves andotherfittingssothatv the vacuum Within' the Ychamber 43 is 'quickly relieved and Vthe .hamor *other objectvposi'- tioned uponthe carriage B may be quickly remove d.

- F or supporting the carriageB upon'v the de- VVvice I employ four castings V44 which are attached tothe sides of thecarriage asbest shown in Figs'l and 3. -Thesecastings support rollers 45 and `436 Vofwhich the rollers 45 ride upon the horizontal flanges of the angles i l 16' and V17 and Whereas the 'rollers 46 ridel` Vagainst the verticalflanges of said angles. .means ofthese rollers the 'carriage isjsupported relativey to thetraoks 'in such a manner that thefsame maybe moved from'one end V'thereoflto4 the otherrelative Vto thecutteras Will be presently described. It is to be noted ,that the hose 40Vconnected totheearriage B ioo for creating vacuum therein is of sufficient length and flexibly so as tofpermit the carriage to move through its entire course.

The cutter proper used in conjunction with i .nl my invention consists of a thin metalband 47 which is supportedupon a` driving wheel 48 at itsupper end and is further supported by a guide 49 at its lower end. The guide 49 is an annularmember of arcuate formation and 'g r conforms to the concave'surface 22 of the carriageB as best shown inFig. 3. This guide and the wheel 48 are supported .as follows: yUpon the longitudinal framemembers l and 1l of the framework-A, somewhat rearwardly .g of the center of the device are attached: two

castings 50 by means of bolts 51.. n' These .two castings have bosses 52 and 58 formed thereon in which are mounted four uprights 54, 55, 56 and 57. vThese uprights are preferably circular in cross section though the same may be constructed of any suitable formation desired. Set screws 58 threaded in the bosses 52 and 53 serve toV hold these uprights inf fixedposition relative to the frame A. Near the upper ends f The method of supporting wheel 48 is best seen in Figs.2; and cross head 62 is slidj ablyl mounted upon the'upper end of the uprights 54, 55, 56and 57. This cross head includes an upperset of sleevesf63 connected together by means of arms64 and a lower set ofsleeves' 65 which are connected to the upper 72 which are threaded into the walls of the i said boit-like structure and are situated near the ends of the same. By means of these screws angular', lateral-and vertical adjustmentl ofthe wheel 48 may be had so as to properly position said wheel for the driving of the cuttingv band 47. The wheel 48 is formed' with a number of sprocket teeth 7 8 which-,extend outwardly therefrom and are adaptedtoengage in corresponding sprocket holes arranged yat'equalintervals along the band 47. These sprocket teeth serve to eect aipo'sitive drive for the'said band as the wheel 4.8 is rot-ated. K

Ther transmission through which wheel' 48 is driven is constructed as follows: On. two of the bosses of cross head 59 are Vformed outbearing's 76. These bearings journal a transverse shaft 77 which has attached to it at the end opposite the wheel 48 a spur pinion 78 and al pulley 79. The pulley k7 9 is adapted to be driven from any suitable source of power such as an 'electric motor or a line shaft. Rearwardly of the yoke 59 the same isformedwith a bracket 8O whichhas a.V trunnion81 rigidly o secured thereto and extending outwardly therefrom. This trunniony forms a bearing for a spur gear 82 and a sprocket pinion'83, which spur gear and pinion are rigidly coninected together so as to travel as a single unit. The pinion 78 meshes with the gear 82 anda 'wardly extending brackets 75 provided with sprocket chain 84 passes over the sprocket pinion 83 anda sprocket wheel 85 fast on the shaft 7 O which carriesv the driving wheel 48. As the pulley 79 is rotated the wheel 48 is driven through thegears 78 and 82 .and

sprockets 88 and 85 at a considerably reduced c speed, thereby driving the cutter 47 in amanner 'to effect the slicing-orskinning V'of' the hams or other cuts positioned upon thefca'rriage B. It will be noted that .the trunnion 8l is substantially in horizontal positionfwith respect'to the shaft 7 O. This permits of raising the shaft70 in a vertical direction within a certain limit determined by the slack inthe sprocket chain 84 so that the cutter band 47 may be vertically adjusted as willbe presently described. Y

The construction of the annular-*guide 49 is shown in detail in Fig. 8; This device is formed of'a stripv of more or less resi-lient material which Vis bent in the arc `of a circle Vand which is sharpened along its forward edge asindicated at 86. A recess 87 along the outer periphery of this strip at the sharpened endv thereof receives a` shoe 88 which has al shoulder 89 formed thereon. This shoexmay be riveted. or otherwise secured to the guide 49 and forms a wearing surface -forf guiding the movement ofthe cutting band 47, which is shown in cross section in Fig. 8. The forward edge 90 of this band is sharpened and the bevel formed thereby is substantially con.. tinuous with the beveled edge 86 of theguard proper. vWhen proper tension isplaced upon. the band 47 and the wheel 48 properlyadjusted within the box-like structure 68 the band 47 is caused to rotate and is guided'by the guide 49 so that the lowermost portion of the cutting edge falls within the groove in the shoe 88 and so that the whole of said band rides against the shoulder. 89 which takes up In normal operation the. guide 49 isiso dis- Vposed that thecutter 47is spaced the .desired 'so cess 106 adaptedv to snugly receivevthe plate KFdistance from the supporting lsurface22xof carriage B and substantially conforms in t .curvature 4withsaid surface. When a ham or other object to be sliced is placed upon the 'surface-22 and the carriage B advanced along thetracks 16 and'177 the cutting edge 90 of the band 47 Vis caused to slice' the Contacting Y portion'of theham or other-object with the 'surface 22'so as vto sever the saine fromthe major portion of the object to becut. As theobjectis cut themajorportions of the `Asaine pass through the spacewithin the guide 49y while the severed portion' passes through the Space between the cutter 47Y and the carriage B. Y

laid a heating element A92l shown in detail in Fig, 9. This heating element consists of a core 93 of a suitable insulating material on which'isnwound a coil of resistance wire 94, the' convolutions of which are suitably spaced from one another. This coil is insulated from thewalls of the slot-91 by suitable insulating i material andth'eesai'd slot is closed by means4 of 'aplate 95 screwed or riveted tothe outer surface'of the saidfguide 49 as clearly'shown in Fig58. 'When ,anfelectric current is'applied tothe terminals lofthe heating element 92 suiicient'heat is-generated'within the guide Y 49 to heat the cutting band 47,7particularlyv 'where theshoe 88 is constructed of ya metallic substance, such as steel bre or the like. The ',iaisingof the temperature of both4 the cut# Y ter and shoe causes the device to operate with less resistance when.usedinconJunction with hams and other cuts of in'eatat a temperature such as occurs in rrefrigeratorsY wheresuch #meats areusually stored'. IfY desired steam or hot watermay vbe conducted through the passageway 91 and usedfor heating the cutter instead of electricity.

The structure for supporting the guide 49 is VVshown in detail in Figs. 5, 6 and 7.V To the upper'ends of guide 49 are formed fittings 96 which terminate in spaced ears 97 and 98. `These ears are pivoted ,to the inner ends 99 of two horizontally'disposed plates 100 yandV 101 which are recessed asr indicated at 102 Y to receive the cutting band 47. vThese plates are arranged for both vertical and horizontal movement and' are supported as follows:

Mounted upon thetwol uprights 56 and 57 is a cross'head. 103 which'is Aformed with' two sleeves104 and 105 bored to slide upon the said uprights. This cross head is formed Vnear the'lowermostportions thereof and intermediate the two sleevesn 104 Vand-,.105 with a re- 100a'11d guide the same for longitudii'ial move ment.: A plate`107 best shown in Figs. 4 andVV 5is boltedto the `underside of the cross head 103landgreta'ins'said plate in proper position within theslot orl recess 106. ThevplatelrOlis similarly mounted for sliding movement in a cross headr108 similarto the cross head 103v which slides upon the uprights 54 and vrsoY that the entire guide 49 may be bodily Vraised. relative to the surface 22 of carriageB` VBy forcingthe plates 100 and 101 inwardly, the f distance between the upper ends ofthe guide 49may be vai'iedto regulate the distance bef tween the upper ends of the said guide and the upper ends of the lcarriageB.:` properly adjusting said guide aslto width at its'uppei" end and its distance from the vsurface 22'in its lower end, the'cutting band 47 can be made to vcut any desired thickness of cut from i the object placedupon the said surface.v InV this manner the device cank beadjusted to remove a thin or thick hide or if desiredfor the purpose of removing Vfat from the exQ terior surface of the ham may be used to cut a strip of any desired thickness. In addition by properly varying the relativeadjustments ofthe guide v49-tl1e cutterfcan be'inade to cut a slice which is thicker at the bottom thanatV the sides, or vice versa..` l

structure best shown-in Figs V3, `4 and5. .i

Upon the two uprights 576a'nd 57 is 'mounted a support 109 which is secured to said uprights by means of set screws '110.'V A simi.-

lar support 111 is attached yto the two up-v rights 54 and 55 and is heldin fixed relation thereon by ymeans, of set/screws 112.' These v two supports provide bearings, for a transverse shaft 113 which is disposedimmediateare arranged to operate upon rollers 1161:.

and 117 jouinaledY in arms 66l on crossrhead' l62 and on'the crosshead 103',1respectively.

By means .of these cams and rollersthe cross 'l head 62 carrying the Wheel 48 is 'simultaiiev ously elevated with the guide 49 through the action of the. cutting 'band 47 which carries the entire weight of said guide and the two cross heads l103 and .V108 vforcing'therollers 117 tight'against the :under surface of,V the fsaid Proper tension in `the band 47 to accomplish this result may be had-` cams 114 and 115.

through the 'adjustment of the VV adjusting screws 71 and 72 previously referred to.

At the saine time that the guide 49is ele-I vat-ed the upper ends of the sameV are vforced ture `of theguide so las to cause the cutter to cut substantially,parallel cuts from the ham'V or other objects pressedupon the surface 22.

t inwardly to reduce the diameter of the curvas` This is accomplishedas follows: Referring to` i Gfthe'plate 100 is formed with an opening 118 extending completely through the saine near the center thereof: Thisfopeni'ng hasl Journaled in it two spacedl rollers 119 and 1,20 which are supported upon pintles 121 which pass through the said plate and journalsaid rollers and whichV` may be riveted in vplace if Y Y 90v rThe entire cutting band47 is'elevated by Y Y ico` ly backof the band47.V This shaft carries at '3 its extreme ends two cams 114 and-115 whichj i i longitudinally desired. An inclined cam or finger 122*y best shown in Fig. which is attached to a base 123 operates between the two rollers 119 and 120. This cam projects throughopenings 124 and 125 in the cross head 103 and the plate 107 respectively, and serves to force the plate 100 inwardly upon the upper upward stroke of the cross head 103y and outwardly upon the downward stroke of said cross head. The base 123 of cam 122 is attached to the support 109 by bolts 126 by means of which the exactposition of said cam relative to the rollers 119 and 120 may be adjusted at will. Plate 101 is operated by a mechanism identical with that used for operating plate 100 so that both of theseplates are moved inwardly at the same time and in like manner as the cross heads 103 and 108 reciprocate in the raising of the device whichis accomplished by rotating the' shaft 113 in a clockwise direction as viewed from Fig. 4. The surface 127 of cam 114 engages therollers 116 while the surface 128 of'said cam en gages the. roller 117. 'Both of these surfaces are spiralled in formation, the surface 127 having greater pito-h than the surface 128. This causes the wheel 48 to be raised faster than the cross heads 103 and 108 which serves to take upjtheslack inthe band 47 occasioned by the forcing` of the upper ends of the guide 49 inwardly. In this manner vthe said band is at all `time-s retained taut and held in proper operating relation within the recess in the shoe 88 of guide 49 so that the Vvcutting edge .i of the said band is in proper position to sever portions ofthe object placed upon the carriage In the particular embodiment of my invention which I have Yillustrated in these drawings, the cams 114 and 115 which are identical in construction and the cams 112 47 is equally spaced" fromfthe surface 22 throughout its conformity therewith. When, however, the cutter 47 `isi-elevated to increase the rthickness of the cut which isnecessary in the removal of fatfrom the ham, it is desired to make a deepercut at the center ofthe ham where the fat is the thickest, than along the outeredgesof the same. For thisreason the cutter 47 is so'disposed as 'to' molst'closely cut or sever'the layer of fat in the desired thickness throughout its extent. y. n

vForoscillating the shaft y113so ras to vary the thickness of the s'licefsevered y-Iem'ploy a handle 129 which A, is integrally lconstructed with the cam 114;I This handle'is hollow as shown in iFig. r5 and supports a rod 130 for sliding relative to said handle.l 'A button 1`31ffupon the end of said rod is utilized'for moving the said rod longitudi! nally. lVithin the handle 129 is disposed a spring 132 which normally holds said button 131 in its outer position. The extreme end of rod 130 is constructed with a hooked portion 133 slidable in a slot 333 in cams 114 which portion terminates in a dog 134 adapt' I ed to engage a number of ratchet teeth 135` formed along the outer' periphery of the bear- I other cuts and to properly position and manipulate the same upon the' carriage B. This is accomplished by the following construction @n the cross head 59 immediately below the shaft 7 7 and intermediate the bearings 76 is formed another bearing 137. A similar bearing 138 direct-ly below the bearing 137 is boltedr` to the frame Vmember by means of bolts 139. These two vbearings journall a vertical shaft 140 which carries at its upper end a bevel gear 141 meshing with a bevel pinion 142 fast onthe shaft 77. At the lower end' of this sha-ft is secured a sprocket pinion 143 which is driven through said'shaft 140 as the pulley 79 is rotated. Between the two frame members 10 and 11 is attached a cross frame member 144 shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2 which is bolted to said frame members by means of bolts 145. This frame member is provided with two members 146 and 147v between which is j ournaled a casting 148. Bolts 149 and 150 are screwed into the said castingy f 148 and form trunnions which are journaled in the members 146 and 147. By @means of this construction the casting 148 is j ournaled for reciprocation about a longitudinal vaxis being the centers of the two bolts 149 and 150. The center of the casting 148 is bored longitudinally to form avertical bearing 1.51 for a vertical shaft- 152 which is rotatablethere- 1n. immediately below the said casting 148 and has attached to it a sprocket wheel 153 ywhich is driven from the sprocket pinion 143,011V shaft 140 by means of a sprocket chain'154. A collar 155 on this shaft serves to hold the said shaft in proper position relative to the casting 148. At the upper end of shaft 152 sev This shaft terminates at itsl lower end which terminates within a short distance of j Vthe bottom of the carriage B is attached aV roller 156 of rela-tively small diameter. This vroller is' disposed-between two friction racks 157 and158 which are attached to the under- Fes rack 157 at one end of the carriage, While the reverse is true at the other end ofthe carriage. By means of this constructionthe carriage automatically stops when thefsame reaches theend of its vtravel which is determined by the lengthV of these'racks. now reversing thecontact of the Yfriction roller156 thecarriage can be made to travel in therfopposite direction. Dueto the fact that the opposite friction rac-lr is longer than Vthe foney which the roller has last left, a positive return of the carriage is insured from either of its eXtreme positions. Y. For oscillating the casting 148 so as to cause the frictionroller 1`56'to engage either'of the friction racks 157 and 158 I employ an operating lever V159 best shownin Fig. 3 which v nates in arms 166 similar'to the arms 160.

consists: of two oppositely extending arms 160. This lever is attached lto ther endlof a longitudinal shaft 161 Vwhich is kjournaled in two bearings 162 and163 attachedto the floor on which the machine'is placed. V'Ihe arms 160 terminate in pedals 164by meansl of which theshaft 161 maybe rocked in either direction. VAt the other end of the' said shaft 'isatta'ched a. similar lever 165which termi- The casting 148 is constructed with two substantially l horizontally outwardly `extending arms 167 which correspond to the arms 166 of the lever 16,5.- Two rods or'links 168 are piv I otally connected with the arms .167 and the arms 166so'th'at pressure upon'either of the pedals 164 serve to oscillate the casting 148 pedals 164.

forbringing'the friction roller 166m con.-

tact with the friction racks 157`and 158. meansfof two springs 169 operable" between the arms 160 and the floor, the roller156 isv An ormally held in inoperative position fand is automatically returned to such` position when the foot is withdrawn from either of V'the In the vuse of my invention hams or other r f cuts from which it is desired to sever slices.v

of 'fatvor to remove the skin or hide areA placedL upon the surface 22 of carriage B.:

. overlying the. various'apertures 26 commu-f* .d nicating withV the pockets 25. TheI ham ori 'f other cutis then pressed down so v'as to con-j 'tact with the -said surface throughout the extent ofthe portions thereof from whichit 'i is desired to sever the fat or hide. Pedal -42' is` then depressed which exhausts theair,L

within the chamber 43 causing a" vacuum in the particular pockets 25 coveredbyjthe ham" and which. closes the valves I28 inthe remainder of the pockets. This firmly holds Vtheliam' in' place uponthe surface 22 and due to the Yflexibility of the same .the surface i of the ham is well drawnvinto the openings 26 which serve to prevent movement ofthe said ham along thesurface`22 as wellas away y from thesaid surface. ,By nextdepressing the particular pedal 164 whichr causes the Vcarriage B to move toward the cutter 47 the Vroller 156 1s brought into contact with vthe friction rac-lr 157 which feeds the carriage along the said cutter. Cutting bandV 47 `then severs the portion of theham or other object inproximity to the* surface in accordance with the position of said Ycutter relative to saidsurface.. .By releasing pressure upon the pedal 164 the movement of the carriageB VVcan be terminated at any 'position and upon step-V Y pin gon the otherpedal164,the carriage can be returned. By slipping the roller any desired rate offeed can vbe secured. If thecarrlage is operated beyond the limit ofits movement the Y roller 156 disengages the particular friction rack with which' it was contacting and the carriage automatically stops. The other friction rack extending beyond such pointiis in position toV be engaged by the friction roller when theopposite pedal 164 is kpressed sothat the carriage is automatically stopped at the end of its path of ltravel andmay,` alwaysrbe positively returned to itsopposite position. In the removing of the skins or hides from various cuts the cutter may run completely through the cut so that the sevy yered ham or cutis removed from the opposite end .of the machine or if desired the cut may be made only partially through the ham andthe carriage returned7 backing the cut# ting band up through the cut.A In such case l the remainder ofthe hidemay be removed manuallyor the skin cut off at Vthe end of Y the cut. IfV desired my machine may be used for Skinning bellies, shoulders and various I other cuts which canibe arranged in the carriage B sothat the sur-face of the hide to be cut lcan be vmade to conform'to the concave surface ,22 of said carriage.

Althoug I have shown my invention embodied in a singleoperating device, yet it can 4be readily comprehendedthat various changes and alterations can be made without depjarting'from the spirit ofthe invention.V If desireddthe surface 22 of thecarriage B v 4may be constructed vof other forms than semicirculary and therguide 49 canbeconstructed to Yconform therewith. Furthermore by properly designing thecams`114 and 115 and the cams 122 the cuttingiband can Vbe made to'` cut al slice'ofuniform thickness and ofL any desired thickness within the limitsof the machine or the same can be madeto cut .a

slice ofV varyingV thicknessthroughout its exftent. v" i My invention is highlyV meritorious in that* it is fully automaticand is simple and effective in operation. vrilhe device serves to utilize. skins and hides Iand other portions of various cuts of meats fora purpose'gi'ving a larger return to the packing houses. The d'evic'c can readily be adjusted to remove either skins or fatl from cuts `placed upon th'- tially 'conform to said surface and toinove:

along said surface, means forv supporting the object to be slicedy upon said surfaceyand meansfp'ermitting the movement of said 'cut ter and support relative to one 4another to feed said cutter through the objectV skinned .and along said sur-face..y y

2. In a 'Skinning' and fatting machine, a support having a concave surface, an endless band having a cutting edge, a guide for holdinfgsaid band inspaced 'relation to said concave surface and to substantially. conform to the curvature thereof, means for driving said cutting bandand means for guidingsaid support yand band lfor movement re'lativ'efto one another along said concave surface. 3. -A Skinning yand fatting machine comprising a track, a carriage having ya supporting surface slida'b'le along said track, a band cutter having a portion of thefedge thereof superimpos'ing the supportingsurface of said carriage and said band and 'carriage being movable in a predetermined relationrelative to 'one another along said supporting surface,

and 'means ford'riving said band.

4. A skinning and fatting machine coinprising a frame, a 'track mounted on said frame, a carriage sl'idable along said 'track and having acofncave vsupporting surface, uprightsjsecured to said frame, a band cutter movably supported upon said upright-s, an arcuate guide carried by said uprights and guidingA said band yfor movement in a vpredetermined course spacedifrom the concave surface of said carriage, said carriage being movable along said track to feed said band along saidv surface, and means for driving said'band.

5i A'skinning land fatting machine comprising a frame, a track mounted yon said frame, a carriage slidable along 'said track and havinga concavesupporting surface, uprights secured to said frame,`a driving wheel journaled at the upper portion of said-up.

rights, an arcuate guide mounted near the lower portion ofy lsaid up'ri'ghts 'and above said carriage and substantially conforming to the curvature of said concave surface, ani

endless cutting band supported by said wheel andV guide, said guide serving to hold the revoluble port-ion of said cutting edge of said band in a predetermined spaced relation to said concave supporting` surface. 6. A Skinning and `fatting machine prising a fiame, a track mounted on said frame, a carriage slidable along said track and having a concave supporting surface, 'uprights secured to 'said frame, a driving wheel Journaled at the upper portion of said uprights, an arcuate guide inounted'near the lower yportion of said uprights rand above l `said carriage and substantially conforming to the curvature of said concave surface, an

Vendless' cutting band supported by said Wheel and guide, said guide serving to hold the movable portion of the cutting edge of said band in a predetermined spaced relation'to said concave supporting surface, and means for propelling said carriage along said track.

Skinning and fatting machine coin-V prising a frame, a ytrack mounted on said frame, a carriage slidable along said track and. having a concave supporting surface, uprights secured to said frame, a driving wheel gournaled yat the upper portion of said upriglits, an arcuate guide mounted near the lower portion of said uprights and above said carriage and substantially conforming to the curvature of said concave surface, an endlessv cutting band supported by said wheel and guide, said guide serving to hold the lower portion of said cuttingI edge of said band in a` lpredetermined spaced relation to said concave supporting surface, and means for varying the position of said guide relative to said supporting surface for varying the form of the slice cut by said cutter.

8.` A Skinning and fatti-iig machine tcoin- Vprising a fra-nie, ay track 'mounted on said frame, a carriageslidable `along said track and having a concave supporting surface,

u-prights secured to said frame, Ya `driving Wheel `Jouri'ialed at theupper yportion of 'said uprights, an arcuate guide mounted nearV the lower portion of saidu-piiglits andabove ree lli() said carriage and substantially conforming to thecurvature of said concave surface, an

endless cutting band supported by said wheel and guide, s aid guide serving to hold the lower portion of said cutting edge of said band in a 'predetermined spaced relation, to said concave supportingsurface, and means 'for -siinultaneously varying the space between-said g'uide'and concave supporting surface and the l formationof said guidefto vary the thickness of the slice cut by said cutting band.

9. A skinni-ng and 'fatting'machine lcoin'- prising ya frame, a trackl mounted onsai'd frame, a carriage slidable lalong saiditiack and having a concave supporting 'surfafce,up^

rights secured to said frame, a'drilviiig whee'l journaled Vatth'e upper portion "ofsa'id uprights, Van arcuate guide mounted near the lower portion of saiduprights and above said Y carriage and substantially conforming to the curvatureof said concave surface,an endless cutting vband supported by said Wheel and guide, said guide serving to hold the. lower portion .of said cutting edge of said band Vin Y apredeterminedspaced relation to said concave supportingsurface, means for simultaneously Yelevating said supporting wheel and .guide and for bringing the rupper ends of said'guidetogether to .vary thedistanceV between said guide and concave surface at a substantially uniform rate.

10. yA `Skinning and; fatting machine com-V prising a support having a supporting surg'face'and being formed with a plurality of pockets, V4openings extending through said i surface'and communicating with said pockets, a vacuum, chamber` communicating with said pockets, valves Within said pocketsV Vadaptedto close communication Vbetweensaid pocketsand vacuum chamber, resilient means forjnormally holding said valvesV open,. .said

vvalves functioning to open upon the covering of 4said openings and to close upon therapid inrush of air through said openings when uncovered, and means for manually controllingv the vacuumfwithinsaid vacuum chamber.

11. *In a supporting device for Skinning and fatting machines, a member having a supporting surface and formed with a plurality ofpocliets communicating with the exterior through said surface, a vacuum'chamber com- `municating with said pockets, valves within said .pocketsV for closing communication-be-r tween saidpockets vand vacuum chainbeigresilient means forholding .said valvesopen, said valves being arranged to close' upon a irapidrush of air through the valveiopenings and toremain open upon the gradual passage ofairthroughsaid valve openings.

" V112. '.In'fasupporting device for Skinning anvdfatting machines, a member having a supporting surface and formed with a plurality of spaced bores extending completely through theV side opposite said supporting surface,

openings vthrough said surface communicating V"with said bores, a plurality of plugs adapted tobe screwed into said bores, said plugs being spaced from said surface tofornia series of pockets, valve seats formed'on said yplugs and 'valves slidably mountedV on saidrplugs and disposed withinY said pockets, saidl plugs having openingstherethrough for bringing saidV pockets into'communication with the space on the oppositefside ofisaid plugs, 'and a Vplate Vcovering the portionlof said member opposite 4said .supporting surface to provide a vacuum "chamber communicating withv said pockets through Ysaid valves',.and vresilient means for' normally: holding said valves. open, said *valves` functioning toclose upon a rapid inrush .orfiair through the valve openings and )assaffe of air mounted uponcand driven by said driving.V

wheel an annular duide .dis osed inf closed proximity to said supporting surface Y and spaced therefrom for supporting'and guiding the cutting edge of said band, means for sup-V porting the guideabove said carriage, Vsaid guide and cutter ointly passing' through the; Y

objectsliccd during the slicing operation.

,14. A Skinning and fatting machine coinv prising a band. cutter, a guide for aportion of said band cutter and heating means formed in'said guide in proximity to said band cutter.

15. AV slrinning and fattingrvmachine comy prising arband cutter formed `with'a cutting edoe, a Wedge shaped guide forvg'uiding a, i v

portion of said cutter, saidY guide,l expanding in a direction away from they cutting edge of said cutter, andV means for heating lsaid guide and cutter.positionedV in the expanded portion of said guide. Y

'- 16. A Skinning andj fatting machine com'- prising a support havingr a supportingsurface arranged withV a plurality ,of closely spaced openings therethrough, said support being constructed with a` number of pockets connected with groups of said openings, said support being adapted to support a portion of meat in a manner to overlie soine Vof saidv openings, means for applying a vacuum to the pockets communicating with the openings closed by the meat, and means'for closing the pockets connected with ythe openings not covered'by the meat. t 17. In ak supportingdevice for Skinning and fatting machines, a vmember having a supporting surface and formed With a plu-x rality of pockets communicatingV with, the

exterior through said surface,l a vacuum* chamber communicating with said pockets,

IDU

valves 'within said pockets for closing communication between Vsaid pockets and vacuum chamber, resilientA Vmeans for holdingv said j valves open, and ineansforladjustingfthe action of said resilient meansto cause said valves to 'close upon a lrapid rushV ofV air through the valve openings, andtoremain passage of air through open upon the gradual said valve openings. n v v v 18. In a 'supporting devicefor Skinning and Vfatting machines,va member having a 1 surface Vformed with a pluralityof spaced bores, openings through the supporting sur,- f

face communicating VWith said bores, valve assemblies having valve chambers th'ereiniinsertible inl said bores and adapted to close the same, and meansfor bringing saidivalve jf chambers underV vacuum. Y

19. A skinningandfatting machine prising a support,ra cutter movable in the direction of its length relative to said support, and heating means formed on said support for successively heating different portions of said cutter. n Y

20. A skinning andl fatting machine comprising a support, a band cutter movable along said support in the direction of its length, and heating means on lsaid support for successively heating different portions of said cutter during its travel along said support.

2l. A Skinning and fatting machine comprising a movable carriage, a pair of spaced friction racks attached to said carriage, a pivoted shaft having a friction roller disposed between said racks, means for driving said pivoted shaft to alternately bring said roller in contact with either of said racks to propel the carriage in opposite directions, one of said friction racks extending outwardly beyond the other at one end thereof, and the other of said friction racks extending outwardly beyond the former at the opposite end thereof.

22. A Skinning and fatting machine comprising a movable carriage, a pair of spaced friction racks attached to said carriage, a vertically disposed rocking shaft arranged beneath said carriage, a friction roller attached to the end of said shaft and adapted to alternately engage said racks, a transverse lever attached to said rocking shaft, links depending from said lever on opposite sides of the pivot thereof, and footoperated means for operating said links for engaging said roller with either of said racks.

28. A Skinning and fatting machine comprising a support having a curved surface, an endless cutter positioned in proximity to said surface, means for guiding said cutter to travel through a portion of the length thereof in conformity with said surface, means for moving said cutter away fromsaid surface, and means for varying the curvature of said guiding means to cause the curvature of said cutter to conform to the curvature of said support in the adjusted position of said cutter. i

In testimony whereof I have afxed my signature to this specification.

CARL G. G. BERGSTROM. 

